Shock absorber



T. VEITCHA SHOCK ABSORBER 'Dec 1, 1931.

Filed OCC. 51, 1928 Patented Dec. 1., 1931 -Nirs" s'rA-TES.

Tirer/.tes VEITC'irDoE -DeRrEm CONNECTICUT, AssIGNoR, BY .DIRECT AND MEsNE ASSGNMENTS, TO VEITCH-PEREZ PARTS "CoaroEAT-ICN E NEW YORK' SHOCK ABSORBER Ay'pncaein 111er October 31, 192s. Serin No. $16,316.

More specifically, the

absorbing devices, in which apair 'of interl"connectedpistons operate in two cylinders eontnining a. Ysuitable.liquid and' communider.

Devices oi' this known. Their most ,objectionable feature is 'that' they comprise too l many working parts, and Vrequire precision work Vand eX- pensive vmaterials in their manufacture and assembling.y All oi `th-esam'e employ paci@ ings or glands for the main operating. parts.

`Furthermore, all of Vthesameare V`sofconstructed that right and rleft-hand 4devices f are needed in equipping va -vehicle,with `a set` of the same;-` rIheir adjustments from minimum to maximum-'loads are difficultto inalie, and'at that theyjare adapted yto be easily thrown "out of gear in the Yoperation oi the mechanism. In'all of the devices heretoforein use `liquids are employed the viscosity of which variesV with the changes Y of temperature ordinarily rencountered in the -operation of the shock absorber,l withwthel consequent change'ofthe,adjustment of they to so construct thevimproved shock absorber latter.`4

. reduced to a possible minimumgan'd' which Y Another obj The main object of the present `invention to provide hydraulic.; shock absorber c which 1s exceedingly simple 1n construction,

the number of its operating elements being requires. no precision work nor expensive materials in its manufactureV vand assem` bling.

ect. of the invention is to so construct the improved shock absorber that the use oipackings Aor glands .for the Vmain operating partsY thereof 'isgfentirely done away with.

` 'Thefpresent invention relates to improve-V ments fin ,hydraulic or fluid operating shock .absorbers7` and more'v 'particularly to' those. rof double action.

invention pertains to shock absorbers adapted for use on vehicles in 'general and'spe- Veitically on motor carsor autoinobiles'y The Ainvention has reference to that typeofshock type are old Yand well-V being in a single plane.

further objectof the invention is to lso design the' shock absorber .that 'it :may

-fPTEN'r i CORPORATION, 0F NEW YORK? N. Y., lA

Vused either asl a right-hand device orv as a .leftdiand device, that is to say 'it may be mounted between .the relatively movable ele# ments of a vehicle inail locations or positions where it may be required. t A cstill further object of the invention is to provide device of the character specified whichmay be' conveniently adjusted to kdiilerent loads and other" requirements, the adjusting means Vbeing so designed that they 1ay be readily fixed or secured against` derangement. 1

' A 'further object of the invention is toI provide a device of theY type referred ".to which is so constructed and designed that lit allows of the: employment of a liquid the thereoiito meet temperature changes.

Another object of the invention is to provide. a' hydraulic shock absorber which positively checks and reduces .to a minimum all jars and jerkssuddenly transmittedto veh action upon the liquid-withinthe cylinders, to be gradually relieved. f l' 'A .still further objectfof the yinvention is yto provide a device of the type mentioned strains is eliminated, all strains andreactions l hicle aides,v and, incidentally, allows' any err- V "cessive .pressureydue to vsudden rcompressive A further object of the invention is toz 'I design the shock absorber that entrained air bubbles cannot interfere with the correct ac-l tion thereof; any air separating fromthe operating iuid being confined or trapped in a pounding and the consequent telegraphing of *C noises by the shock absorber to the vehicle chassis is prevented.

Still another object of the invention is to design a non-lubricated universal joint between the shock absorber andthe vehicle axle.

Vith these and other objects in view, which will morq fully appear as the nature of the invention is better understoochthe same consists in the combination, arrangement and construction of parts hereinafter described, pointed out in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, -it i being understood that many changes may be made in the size and proportion of the several parts and details of construction within the scope of the appended claims, without departing` from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

One of the many possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a central vertical section taken through shock absorber constructed'in accordance with the present invention, the same bein@ shown mounted on the relatively movable parts of a vehicle; Fig. 2 is a. top plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a section taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an end View of the universal joint between the shock absorber lever-arm and the axle-engaging link of the construction; Fig. 5 is an elevation, partly in section, of the single valve mechanism of the shock absorber; and Fig. 6 is a section taken'of line 6 6 of Fig. 5.

InV the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a casing,constructed to form pair of cylinders 11 and 12 which are arranged lside by side in the same plane and have disposed therebetween a chamber 13, with which the said cylinders are adapted to communicate in a manner hereinafter to be described. The cylinders are open at their upper ends, their lower ends beine' closed b heads 14 which. D i f in the embodiment illustrated inthe draw ings, are in 'the form vof Vsepara'te`elernents.

although -this is not'essential. In the embodiment illustrated 1n the draw-ings each head 14 has a reduced threaded portion 15,

mesliing with interior threads 16 in the lower end of the respective cylinder., a gasket 17 being interposed between the head and the lower end of the respective cylinder, for the Vwell-known purpose. Vithin each cylinder operates a suitable piston 1S, inthe case illustrated-a trunk piston. The head 19 of each piston is arranged lowermost and above the said head extends a skirt 2O of the usualconstruction. Each piston is provided with a pac-king, for instance a ileXible cup-ring packing 21, for therwell-known purpose. Thesev cup-rings may beheld in position-upon the pistons 1n any suit-able manner, the elements being united, inthe case illustratechby screwbolts 22, the heads 23 of which 1s disposed within the skirt of the respective pistons.

Each piston is provided above the packing with an oil-wiping groove 24, the latter being connected with the inside of the piston by a series of holes 25.

rlhe casing 10 carries perforated attached lugs 26, which are oppositely disposed and adapted to fit against the frame 27 of the vehicle, to be secured thereto by means of bolts 2S. K l Y The shock absorber restraining force is transmitted from the pistons 18 to the axleengaging link 29 by an arm 30, which oscillates in a plane extending through the cylinder centers. The said arm is fulcrumed on a knife-edged bar 31, which is attached, for instance, by screw bolts 32 to the casing 10 directly over the chamber 13 above referred to. As clearly shown in the drawings, the

Vbar 31 is sector-shaped in transverse cross the aperture 33 are the same, so that the arm is held on the knife edge against vertical movement, being, however, permitted to swing thereon.

The connection between the arm 30 land the two 'pistons vof 'the 'device is made by two links 34. The ends of each link are knifeedged, as indicated at 35 and 36, the knifeedges engaging V -shaped grooves 37 in the arm 30, and the knife-edges 36 being seated in V-shaped grooves 38 in the screw-heads 23 on the pistons. The V-shaped groovesv 37 are arranged on opposite sides of 4the fulcrum of the arm 30 and in substantial alignment with the piston centers. The pistons are raised on their suction strokes by springs 39, one spring being associated vwith each link 34. Each spring is connected to the arm v'30 near the and around the lever 30, above the fulerum of the latter.

f The cylinders 11 and 12 communicate with the chamber 13 through ports 41 and 42,v respectively, said ports being disposed as close as possible to the cylinder heads 14 above referred to. Vith the ports co-operates a valve lmechanism 43 for controlling the flow of fluid from the cylinders to the central chamber 13 and from the latter to said cylinders. This valve mechanism is disposed in the "turns -to neutral position; 3A stuffing box 60 chamber 13 comprises a `valve'44 of substantially oblong'g'coniiguration, extending -*across said chamber from'port tof port, fthe Ap latter being disposedl inalignment with one another. lwidth of thevalve'exc'ecds, of course, thatloician :individual port.`v The valve is' 'adapted to rock on a-knife-ed-ge' 45,1t being for thisA purpose-provided with a transversely extending central Vishapedgroove 46,-into which'the last mei-itioned knife-edge' eXtends, the; I arrangement beingf such th at the lsaid 'valve vis disposedhorizontally in its neutral positiomjshown inFig.r 1 oit' the drawings. The kn1fe4edge45 ,maybe formed on al plug 47,: which" closes -thelower end ofi the chamber V'13,- said plugbeing inthe-giorni* of a flanged body,- its lianges'148'bearin`g against theunderiac'e ofthe, casing 10 and serving as the means orattaching theplug to said casing. in forming the knife-edge 45, the. plug 'is -milled vYout'atdiametrically oppositev portions thereof 'and thereby forms a partition or dividing wall within the'chamberr 13 between 'the ports 41 and" 42.V The transverse edges d 'a' 49V of the valve, which vco-operate with the `said' ports, are reduced in thickness V and the upperfaces ofthe end portions ot the said valve are disposed adjacent the upper edges *o f--the'ports 41 and 42, when the said va ve in its neutralposition,lshown.in Fig. 1l ot v'the drawings; A shoe 50, having a 'curved v'underfaee 5-1, rests ron top of` the valve 44,

-the curved'underface of said shoeco-operat ing-witha similarly vcurved upper face por- I A tion 52 oi the'valve. The shoe'straddles the fulcrum ofi the valve and bears on knife edges 52C IThesev edges are-inside "of the` center of'etlort of Vthe fluid tending to lift jthefval-ve,`sothat the valve is rocked on its i'ulcrumrinstead of being bodily lifted therefrom'. From the shoe extendsupwardly a stem 53, the'up'per end of the latter projectfving through a guide'washer 54, which is in sliding `engagement wit the inner face of .fthe chamber 13.15 Thiswwasher is provided with a -screwethreaded hole` 55, the 'threads' which mesh with those of a spindle56, the latter beingrotatably mounted in the plug47. n

- The lower vend of the said' spindle extends through the saidplug and has iiXed to it,

outside of the casinglO, a lever 57 ywhich'co- `operates with'a stop 58, the latter projecting downwards from the .plug and limitingthe" movement of the saidVV lever, permitting I it, however, to make one 4incomplete turn.' About the stem 53 is coiled a spring 59, one-f end of which bears against the shoe'50 and its other end against the washer 54. The ten- -si'on o'll this spring may be adjusted-by turning the lever 57 in one or the other direction. rv.Due to the co-operatmg curved 'faces' 51 and 520i the sh'oe50 and valve 44, respectively, the said shoe, with the iiuid, gives a dash-pot ve"fi"e'ct,rto prevent a krap when the` valve resuitable construction.

is mounted on theplug 47,for co-operation Y point 62 is fixedv toa slide 64,.r guided inua frame 65,r which is carried by the link29. A yielding block 66, of lrubber or the likefis. interposed between the 'frame 65 and thesaid s slide for the purpo'seof keeping'the conical vbearing points firmlyjengaged withr the `end lof the arm 30. The frame 65 may be of any In the case illustrated it is in the form of an oblong head, preferably made of a strip of metal with its ends 67 over` lapping. Through these overlapping ends extend two registering screw-threaded holes 68, Vand with the threads of these mesh threads 69 onthe link 29` below the bearing point 61. A lock nut 70, disposed below the overlapping ends of the trame, serves to keep thefframe inproper position on the said link. l The 'threaded connection between the frame kand the link 29 provides also for Vadjustment of the trame-'onfsaid'link.`

`The link29 is connected to the axle 71 of 'the vehicle in such a manner that aslight' "appears from Fig. 1 of the drawings.l The 'bearing point 6l is preferably formed on the 'upper endet the link 29, .while the bearing swinging movement of theilink in relation to the'aXle ispermitted. In' order 'to'.attain this end a suitablyshaped plate 1n'ember72 is fastened to said axle, vthe said plate being provided vwith fan' opening 73. through which the link 29 is'eXtended.' Above and below the Vsaid plate areV arranged on 'the link resilient blocks or buifers 74, held betweenV washers'r75.

Nuts 76,^`m`eshing with threadsf77 on thelink 29,'keep the elements vin assembled positions.

The plate member 72 may be attached to the aXle17l in a suitableman'ner. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated inthe drawings, the said plate member is provided with VYside lianges l78, which are shapedto engage *one ofthe longitudinal `edges ofthe vehicle aXle and'exten'd below the same in abutment with the under-'face of the axle. A clamping bolt 79, carried by thejsaid plate member, engages the opposite longitudinal edgeof the ax e. Y

l Before describing the :operation ofy the shock absorber, attention is called-to'thefact `that the ports 41 and 42 are large compared with the areas ot-:the pistons. The purpose" of this arrangement is to prevent'building up vof greater' pressures than predetermined by the valve spring59, which would obviously be the case if ,the lvehicle axles received a violent shock at high speeds of the vehicle and Cil said ports :were unduly restricted. A bypass hole 8O may be provided in the plug LT below its knife-edge portion, ii less restriction is 'requiredl at slow speeds. i

rlhe operation of the improved mechanism is as follows: The cylinders and the chamber 13 are filled with a suitable operating 'lluid The said chamber constitutes a non-pressure supplyV reservoir, into which the fluid is discharged trom one cylinder on the down or resisting stroke ot' the piston, and from which a 'full supply is simultaneously given to the other cylinder on the suction stroke of a piston, as 'will more clearly ap dear hereinafter. This chamber isnct .till-ed completelywith liquid, an air space being provided above the fluid level therein. Inasmuch as the main operating elements 01"' the devicerare not associated with stuf'ing boxes or the like, itis obvious 'that the device herein described is adapted to contain working fluids of relatively low viscosity, such as kerosene or the like,

with the result that the means controlling the flowoi' the fluid to and from the central supply reservoir needs no adjustment and functions properly with surrounding temperature changes 'from .extreme summer heat to very low temperatures ot winter' weather.

Since the arm 3() is connected to the axle of the vehicle and the cylinders are mounted upon the chassis thereof, it is obvious that the pistons in the cylinders move at all times n that is tosay `when lin opposite directions, one piston is onits compression stroke, the

on its suction stroke. f Consewhen one piston Jforces fluid from its cylinder into the central chamber 13, the other piston causes a flow of'fluid from the said central cliamber into the cylinder with which it cri-operates. The flow of' the fluid is controlled by the spring-pressed single valve liet. which is held in all positions of rest of the relatively movable` elements of the vehicle in closing position by the adjustable spring 59 above referred to. ln its port-closing position, the lvalve is horizontally4 disposed but does not make a sealed meta-l to metal closure.

Considering now the operation of said valve, it is evident that, on the compression stroke of a? piston in its cylinder, the fluid flowing through the respective port into the central supply chamber swings the said valve on its fulcruin so that the adjacent transverse edge portion of the valve is lifted and the opposite transverse edge portion thereof is lowered.

Both ports of the structure are therefore simultaneously opened. However, inasmuch as the upper face of the valve is in its neutral, horizontal position disposed substantially flush with the upper longitudinal edges of the ports, that port which is connected with the compression cylinder will open slower than that port which is connected with the suction cylinder. ln other words, the suction port iis lalways of greater area than the discharge port, so that no partial vacuum can be created in the suction cylinder and consequently theV danger of the suction piston drawing in air is eliminated,V Vhatever' air may be entrained in the operating fluid is separated in the central chamber therefrom, rises to the top of the Vfluid in .thev chamber and does not 'enter the suction cylinder.

The spring 59, acting on the valve, is initially set for normalvload conditions. Adjustments thereof may be made in the manner above described. This spring controls the movement of the valve, it interposng a resistance to the flow of the working fluid from the compression cylinder into the central chamber of the device, and its resistance, obviously, increasesy as it is being compressed.

In Fig. l of the-drawings, the elements of the shock absorber are shown in the positions which they Voccupy when there `is no live load on the vehicle. When a vehicle is being loaded,robviously the springs thereof are somewhat compressed, that is to say the chassis approaches somewhat the vehicle axles. The arm 8O is thereby swung upwards on its fulcruin and consequently one piston is somewhat lowered and the other raised a corresponding distance. The valve 4:4 is thereby first swung in the manner above described on its knife-edge fulcrunn but returns to its normal horizontal position as soon as the movement of the pistons ceases. The spring 59, `co-operating with the valve, returns thus to its normal, expanded condition, or, in other words, it resumes Vits original resistance. V'hen the vehicle is in motion and its relatively movable elements, that is to say its chassis and axles, either approach one another or recede from one another, due to inequalities in road, the axle engaging link 29 moves correspondingly, and causes, by the intermediary of the lever 30, one of the pistons to move on its compression stroke and the other piston on its suction stroke. The valve offers resistance to the flow 'of the fluid from the compression cylinder into the central chamber 13 and thereby ofl'ers resistance tothe movement ofthe piston in the last named cylinder, with the result that the relative movement between the chassis and ve- .hicle axles is gradually .checked and the shocks are, in a similar manner, absorbed. As soon as these relative'lymovable elements come to a full stop, the valve 44 returns to its noi-mal horizontal position, so that on the rebound o'f the vehicle springs the shock absorber functions in exactly the same manner in which it acted on `the previous strokes of the piston, with the exception that the rfunctions of these pistons are reversed, that is to say `the piston which acted on the previous stroke as the suc-tion piston now becomes the compression piston, and vice-versa. From this it appears that the device herein described oli'ers the same resistance-,to the movenient of :the sections of the vehicle springs t'' Ward and away from one another. Itis yto be' noted, however, .thatl the resistance offered to the ioW of the fluidfrom any cylinder into 5 the ycentral chamberv increases gradually ,as

the spring 59 isbeing compressed in the movementV of the pistons in either direction andi froinany position of rest ofthe saine. Forv this reason therelativelmovement be- 10 tween the chassis and vehicle axles -is checked gradually irrespectiveof tlie'live lload condi,- V,tions-on the-vehiclefand irrespective of the amplitude ofthe movement. Of course little resistance is-ofifer'ed bythe spring 59 at small amplitudes of movement, so that comparatively .freeinoveinentfof the vehiclev springs vis lpermitted when the. vehicle runs lovera .comparatively smooth. road; In other Words, the device herein described djoes not tend .to

.29 stiifenitlie l.vehicle springs.- fThe by-pa'ss hole .80, above described, Vaids inthis direction; l.A,ttentiojn is called tothe fact thatasiiit--` yable quantityof operating fluid may be .placed intov each of thefpistons oftlie device.l This id'es, a liquid, seal* for th ej-pistons; Qbiously, ifthelpistons havea tendency to suck vaiijfi-nto ,the cylinders, thefluid lWithin `said .pistoiis,fbeing',in communication through the holes vvith the-grooves 2',providesan. airtight closure, so that 4operating fluidis drawn` '.intetlie cylinders insteadofQair. i

rkfltds obvious that, inasmuch., as the valve .spring 1adj iistiiig Y. means is disposed.. ony ,the .bottom of the casing l0, it does notinterfere 5 with moiintinggof tlieshock absorber on the Avi inprovcdgshockj absorber comprisesiexceediiigly; few` working parts, and-'requires nopre- .cisio'ii,workfnor vexpensive materials Viin/its iiianuvfacture andI 'assembling.`V The singleV adiiisting iiieans,thatjgis' to say'the spindle5G, Qi'sfreadily accessible anclmay be vconveniently ,set, to Vadapt the shoclfabsorberto different loads and otheinreqiiiremeiits, and the stop. 58 prevents .the adjusting means. from being .tliroivnfout ofgeaixy I f f. a. v'dittefifition isj also calledto thefact .that the universal` jointf between the arm l3;() andthe :.-lnl29idoes :not require.,"lubrication.v If the 'i Aleiiients z thereof Wear in time, gthe frame A65 and-the elements thereon may be readilyrefsetfon the link 29rto meet thegrequirements.

'-l/Vhat'zIclaimf'iszr- 5 .1 1 y l.. 'A shock absorber,` comprising fa-.pair of rzcylinders, a closed' fluid vcontaining reservoir -communicating Withl said cylinders, a pair into its cylinder, and a single valvewithin said reseilvoirlforcontrolling the communications between said reservoir and said cylinders.

2. Infla shockl absorber according to claim l,

of connected oppositely reciprocating pistons said valve-closing vsaid communications-in all I positions of rest'of said pistons.

v 1.23. In ashock absorber according to lclaim l, said valve oiiering a gradually increasing resistance to the flow of the 4iluidfrom a cylinder intofsaid reservoir `from any position of yiest ofsaidpistons...v y y a i n 4. In afsliock absorber according to claim fl, said valve-,offering agradually increasing resistance to the liovvof the iiuid fromafcyl-` inder into'said reservoir lfrom any position of jrestofsaidpistons andin either direction of A movement ofthe latter. v

, 5. YA shockabsorber, comprising a ,pairof vcylinders, .a closed iluidcontaining reservoir communicating throughtvvoports with said cylinders, alpair of connected oppositelyre-y ciprocating pistons in said cylinders,` each piston actingl atonestroke thereof to force iuidfijoin its'cylindeiithroughthe respective lportv into said reservoir and vo'nits other strokel vcaiis'iifig transference of fluid from said reservoir through' saidpo'rt into 'its cylinder,` :and a single valve4 Within 'said reservoir co-oper- ,ating with said ports.

6. In ashock absorber a said valve being so arranged in relation -to said ports that lthe port through which 'iluid flows from a vcylinder into said reservoir is at l alltimes more restricted than the other port.

y f7'.VV 'In a shockl absorber according to claim `5, said valve being fso' arranged in relation to said ports as to permit iioW of fluid from said reservoir intotavcylinder at a greater ratethan the flow. of fluidfrom a cylinder into said reservoir. j V8. In a shockl absorlier according to claim 5,.,said valve controlling the communications between said Vreservoir and said cylinders andv being inf closing position at all positions ofrest of'saidpistons. l

9. A shock absorber, comprising a pair of cylinders, a closed vfluid containing reservoir communicating'through two ports with said cylinders, a 'pairof connected oppositely ree f y ,100 ccording to claim 5,

ciprcating l*pistons in said cylinders," each y piston acting at -one stroke' thereof to force `fiuid from its cylinder'thi'ough the respective port iiit'o'saidreservoir and on its other stroke causingtransferenceof Huid 'from said .reser- Voir through 'said port into its cylinder,aiid single rocking valve Within said reservoir co-'operatingwith saidports.

-. 10. Ashock'absorber according to claim 5,

Tcomprising a spring'actingupon said; valve. y.

Cil

l1. A shock absorber according to claim 5, comprising a spring acting upon said valve, and means for adjusting the tension of said spring, the actuating element ofV said adjusting means being disposed outside of said reservoir. 12. A shock absorber according Vto claim 9, comprising a spring acting upon said valve. 13. A shock absorber according to claim 9, comprising a spring acting upon said valve, and means for adjusting the tension of said spring, the actuating element of said adjusting means being disposed outside of said reservoir.

V1A. A shock absorber, comprising a Vpair 'of cylinders,a closed fluidcontaining reservoir communicating through two ports with said cylinders, said ports being disposed on opposite portionsv of said reservoir, a pair of connected oppositely reciprocating pistons in said cylinders, each piston acting at one stroke thereof te force fluidV from its cylinder through the respective port into said reservoir and on its other stroke causing transference of fluid from 'said reservoir through said port into said cylinder, and a single rocking valve within said reservoir eo-'operatingwith saidl ports, said valve when closing the communication between said reservoir and said cylinders being 'disposed within the areas of lsaid ports so that the port through which fluid flows from said reservoir into a'cylinder is less restricted in the operation of' said valve than the portl through which fluid flows from the other cylinder into said reservoir.

15. A shock absorber according to claim 14, comprising a spring acting 'upon said valve, and means forv adjusting the tension of said spring, the actuating means of said adjusting means being disposed outside lofsaid reservoir.

16. A shock absorber, comprising a pair of cylinders, a closed fluid containingreservoir communicating through two ports with said cylinders, said ports being disposed inopposi'te portions of said reservoir, a pair of connected opposite-ly reciprocating pistons in said cylinders, each piston acting at Aone stroke thereof to force fluid from said cylinder through the respective port into Vsaid reservoir and on its other stroke causing transference of fluid from said reservoir throughsaid port into its cylinder, a knifeedged fulcrum withinsaid reservoir, and a single valve rocking on said fulcrum coloperating with said ports, said valve when closing the communication between said reservoir `and said cylinders being disposed withinthe areas of said ports so that theport through which fluid flows from said reservoir into a cylinder is less restricted in the operation 'of said valve than the port through which fluid flows from'the other cylinder into said reservoir.

17. VA shock absorber according to claim 16, comprising means co-operating with said 16, the element on which said ful'crum is formed being provided with a hole permitting communication between said ports.

1 9. A shock absorber, comprising a pair of cylinders, a closed fluid containing reservoir disposed between said' cylinders and communi'cating therewitl1,'a pair of pistons reciprocatably arranged in said cylinders, a lever fulcr'umed to said reservoir and being located ina plane passing through the longitudinal axes of said cylinders, connections on Y,

opposite sides of the lever fulcrum between said lever and said pistons, whereby the latter reciprocate in opposite directions when said lever swings on said ulCrum, each piston acting at one stroke thereof to force fluid from its cylinder into said reservoir and at its other stroke causing transference of fluid from-said reservoir intoits cylinder, and a single valve with-in said reservoir for controlling the communications between said reservoir and said cylinders,

20. A shock absorber, comprising a pair of cylinders, a closed fluid containing-reservoir disposed between said cylinders 'and communicating therewith, a pair of pistons reciprocatably arranged in said cylinders, a lever fulcrumed to said reservoir and being located in a plane passing through the longitudinal axes of said cylinders and extended beyond said reservoir for connection with an V axle engaging link, connections 'on opposite sides of the lever fulcrum'between said lever and 'said pistons, whereby thelatter reciprocate in opposite directions when said lever swings on said fulc'rum, each piston acting at `,one stroke thereof to forcefluid from its cylinder into said reservoir and at its other stroke causing'transference of fluid from said reservoir into its cylinder, and means for controlling the` communications between said reservoir and said cylinders, said connections including each a link interposed between said lever and the respective piston, and a spring connecting the piston with said lever.

. 21. A 'shock absorber, comprising a pair of cylinders, a closed fluid containing reservoir disposed between said cylinders and communicating therewith, a pair of pistons reciprocatably arranged in said cylinders, a lever fulcrumed to said reservoir and being located in a plane passing through the longitudinal axes of said cylinders and extended beyond said reservoir for connection with an axle engaging link, connections on opposite sides ofthe lever fulc'rum between said lever and said pistons, whereby 'the latter reciproioo cate in opposite directions when said lever swings on said fulcrum, each piston acting at one stroke. thereof to force fluid from its cylinder into saidl reservoir and at its other stroke causing transference of fluid from said said cylinder against the body of liquid therev in, said piston being arranged with its head lowermost in said cylinder, a peripheral Y groove in the outer face of said piston7 said groove communicating with the interior of said piston above the head of the latter,

` whereby part ofthe working liquid in said piston is adapted to'form a liquid seal in i said groove between the piston and the inner surface of the wall of said cylinder. Signed at New York,l in the county of Ne York, and State of New York, this 30th day of October,'A. D. 1928.

THOMAS VEIT'CH. y 

